Renaissance (Rock)

The history of Renaissance is essentially the history of two separate groups, rather similar to the two phases of the Moody Blues or the Drifters. The original group was founded in 1969 by ex-Yardbirds members Keith Relf and Jim McCarty as a sort of progressive folk-rock band, who recorded two albums (of which only the first, self-titled LP came out in America, on Elektra Records) but never quite made it, despite some success on England's campus circuit.

The band went through several membership changes, with Relf and his sister Jane (who later fronted the very Renaissance-like Illusion) exiting and McCarty all but gone after 1971. The new lineup formed around the core of bassist Jon Camp, keyboard player John Tout, and Terry Sullivan on drums, with Annie Haslam, an aspiring singer with operatic training and a three-octave range.

Their first album in this incarnation, Prologue, released in 1972, was considerably more ambitious than the original band's work, with extended instrumental passages and soaring vocals by Haslam. Their breakthrough came with their next record, Ashes Are Burning, issued in 1973, which introduced guitarist Michael Dunford to the lineup and featured some searing electric licks by guest axeman Andy Powell. Their next record, Turn of the Cards, released by Sire Records, had a much more ornate songwriting style and was awash in lyrics that alternated between the topical and the mystical.

The group's ambitions, by now, were growing faster than its audience, which was concentrated on America's East Coast, especially in New York and Philadelphia -- Scheherazade (1975) was built around a 20-minute extended suite for rock group and orchestra that dazzled the fans but made no new converts. A live album recorded at a New York concert date reprised their earlier material, including the "Scheherazade" suite, but covered little new ground and showed the group in a somewhat lethargic manner. The band's next two albums, Novella and A Song for All Seasons, failed to find new listeners, and as the 1970s closed out, the group was running headlong into the punk and new wave booms that made them seem increasingly anachronistic and doomed to cult status.

Their '80s albums were released with less than global or even national fanfare, and the group split up in the early '80s amid reported personality conflicts between members. During 1995, however, both Haslam and Dunford made attempts to revive the Renaissance name in different incarnations, and Jane Relf and the other surviving members of the original band were reportedly planning to launch their own Renaissance revival which, if nothing else, may keep the courts and some trademark attorneys busy for a little while. ~ Bruce Eder

Reviewers don't need to be fawning fans, but this person either does not listen or does not appreciate that which is Renaissance. I am a classically-trained string bassist, and I hear things in their arrangements that are just head and shoulders above many of the other prog rockers of the same era.If he truly believes that the Carnegie Hall live recording is lethargic he should realize the number of fans it garnered, including me! This seems to be poorly researched! Saw them live 1981-awesome!

Annie had truly a exceptional voice, they had a free concert in Wilmette , Illinois, wealth suburb of Chicago,in 1980's I believe, and the crowd was transfixed. Great band, unbelievably didn't experience greater success.

Annie used to hang out at NEARFest almost every year selling her artwork. Then they finally played there in 2012 just before Dunford passed. They were a great group who created excellent music. I saw them with Caravan in 1977, and in 1982 at Club Bene, both in New Jersey. Their bio needs to be updated and expanded. They were worth it.

The reviewer was more concerned with the size of the band's following and record sales than the true quality of its music. Anne Halsam has the voice of an angel. The encore of the live album, "Ashes Are Burning", is one of the most outstanding performances of progressive rock ever. Unfortunately, their music really has to be heard on the original vinyl records to be truly appreciated because, in more than a few cases, the transfer from analog to digital CD was poorly done (to be kind!). Right th

Brilliant music - deeply reflective and passionately soulful with classical reverence. One in a lifetime gift to humanity.

1 year ago

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ken3275491

Not very often you read such beautiful statements about some of the last true musical artists. Mine would be,... Last minute notice, drove very fast to the lakefront in chicago and watched these great musicians perform at their best, on a beautiful night, with a great friend. I was so moved I cried.

They need to update this review - I've seen the band at least 5 times n the last 10 years. Back In 2012 they were to play in Lakewood NJ the weekend of Hurricane Sandy - that night the show was canceled and a few weeks latter Mike Dunford died suddenly - too soon.

Wow, that bio gives this wonderful band short shrift, and sells way short the soaring works they released during their prime. From Prologue to Academy of Music Live set, it was pure brilliance. If there were a Mt. Rushmore of great prog bands, Renaissance would be right up there with Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, YES and Gentle Giant. Then again, maybe its my east coast pedigree showing....

This should be updated to include the death of Dunford in 2013, sadly just as the band was preparing an ambitious tour. Annie focuses on her artwork nowadays, but a new version of Renaissance is touring, again mostly in East Coast venues where it was most popular.

A very creative folk-art rock-classical band and Annie Haslam's voice is one of the greatest in popular music...they never got the credit they were due for the complex musicianship and lyrics...and Annie's voice is angelic !

I saw them in concert in the 1970 o they were great her voice is so beatuful

2 years ago

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t0037

Renaissance was really in a class by themselves. Some great compositions and Annie's voice is the icing on the cake. Prologue, Ashes Are Burning, and A Song For All Seasons are super albums. Contrary to the somewhat derogatory comments in the Pandora bio, Live at Carnegie Hall was also a great album. I saw them live twice in the late 70's. Both performances were good, but the first one, in Rochester's Auditorium Theater was really excellent because it was in place designed for great acoustics.

Something on music TV reminded me of Scheherezade and I wiki'd through the memory bank to find Renaissance and the album Live at Carnegie Hall (1976). What a great album. Just ordered the CD online; can't wait!